en-USSwallow Aquatics BlogSwallow Aquatics BlogThu, 22 Feb 2018 04:51:36 +0000http://fishpig.co.uk/magento/wordpress-integration/?v=3.1.0.15http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/
15 Christmas Gift Ideas for Pet LoversA dog is for life, not just for Christmas; and any pet lover will tell you that their furry and feathered friends are bona fide members of the family. With that in mind, our pets deserve a few gifts come Christmas Day – especially seeing as they provide us with such joy and unconditional love all year round.

This round up of some of our favourite toys and tasty treats is sure to help your pets get into the festive spirit!

1. Christmas Dog Stocking

This stocking is a great option if you want your pooch to enjoy a few different treats, as there’s lots to enjoy in just one package. Alongside chocolate drops – dog-friendly ones, of course – there’s some turkey and cranberry bones, a tree-shaped treat, and a squeaky toy.

And if your pet is of the feline variety, the kitty version is sure to be a winner – you may even find that your cat sends some rare affection your way. It includes catnip biscuits and drops, salmon flavoured treats, and a few toys.

2. Cat Treat Ball

If your kitty is in need of a little exercise – and hey, aren’t we all by the time New Year’s Day rolls around – then this treat ball is ideal. As the ball is rolled around, it dispenses treats, keeping your cat entertained and engaged for ages and allowing them to enjoy treats in a healthy way.

3. Bird Mirror

Who’s a pretty boy then? These mirrors are bound to keep your bird well entertained. Being able to see their reflection may encourage them to sing, though we can’t promise they’ll belt out any Christmas hits!

4. Goofy Grin Dog Toy

This toy is bound to entertain you as much as it does your dog! The cuddly lip design will raise a smile in even the most Scrooge-like of your relatives.

5. Apple Peanut Feeder

Most of us who love pets, love wildlife too – and this adorable apple-shaped bird feeder will both brighten up your garden and offer your feathered visitors a much-needed bite to eat.

6. Wooden Bird Swing

Transform your birdcage into a playground with this fun swing toy. The wooden base makes it easy for your birds to manoeuvre about on the swing, and they’ll be able to explore more of their enclosure while getting some exercise.

7. Christmas Cracker Dog Treat

Your pooch can join in with the fun when dinner time rolls around, with his very own special cracker-shaped rawhide treat. This one might not go bang, but your furry friend will enjoy it all the same!

8. Strawberry Cuttlebone

Your bird will love this strawberry flavoured cuttlebone, which contains calcium and phosphorous that will help to keep their bones healthy. The cuttlebone also works to ensure your bird’s beak and claws stay trim, too.

9. Christmas Smiley Plush Tennis Ball

Make fetch feel more festive with these fun balls, complete with Santa hats! There are plenty of colours to choose from – blue, green, grey, orange, purple, red or yellow. Why not get a whole rainbow of toys and make this Christmas your dog’s best one yet?

10. Coloured Stick Stack Bird Toy

This brightly coloured stack of free spinning wood features a bell, so you’ll be able to enjoy the tinkling of jingle bells from your bird’s enclosure while they enjoy their new toy! We can’t promise their rendition will be in tune, though…

11. Rawhide Christmas Dog Treat

These adorable treats are designed to hang on your Christmas tree, and are available in a range of shapes such as stars and trees, featuring festive red and green detailing.

12. Three Festive Mice Toys

Featuring three toys in festive red, white and green, these mice will help your kitty to have a purr-fect Christmas. A great choice if you’ve got a few feline friends to purchase for!

13. Choc Allsorts

Every good pet owner knows that despite the fact that many of them love eating it, normal chocolate is not good for dogs. However, this box of chocolate allsorts made especially for pooches will allow them to indulge in their favourite treat without causing any harm.

Packed with chocolate drops, milk drops, a chocolate-flavour chew and a chocolate tennis ball, your dog may feel like all their Christmases have come at once!

14. Rawhide Chewy Shoes

If you often find that your slippers are reduced to shreds by your pooch pal, then why not get your dog some shoes that are designed to be chewed on? That way you can enjoy wearing the new pair that you receive for Christmas without any holes appearing in them – at least, until your dog finishes their treat, anyway!

15. Cat Wands

These wands are sure to create a little Christmas magic! Featuring a range of creatures including fish, mice and birds, these adorable toys allow you to enjoy lots of play time with your cat. The wands also include feathers and bells to spark your kitty’s interest.

Conclusion

I hope that these suggestions have sparked some ideas for how you can treat your pets this Christmas time. There are tons of toys and treats to choose from, so no matter what your pet’s personal taste, you’re bound to find something that will ensure they have a fantastic Christmas alongside the rest of the family.

Whatever you choose for your pet, ensure that you purchase from a reputable supplier to make sure that your gifts are safe for your pet to play with or eat, and supervise your pet with their toys as closely as possible.

Do you have any Christmas traditions that you enjoy with your pets? Let us know in the comments!

]]>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:01:32 +0000http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/15-christmas-gift-ideas-pet-lovers/
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/15-christmas-gift-ideas-pet-lovers/system_admin@digivate.com (digivate_admin)digivate_adminA Beginner's Guide to Tropical Fish IdentificationWhether you’re a beginner fishkeeper or you’ve been cultivating a tank for years, there are bound to be a few species of fish that you aren’t familiar with. There are thousands of different types of tropical fish that we know of, and probably a fair few that humans have never set eyes on.

So, identifying the species that you spotted and fell in love with, but forgot to find out the name for can be tricky! However, we’re here to help you learn what to check for so that next time you can hopefully figure out what you’re looking at.

If you’re searching for that beautiful fish that you don’t know the name of; or you just want to build on your knowledge of the aquatic world; this article is for you. Here, we’ve listed some of the more common families of tropical fish and explained what to look out for, so you can make an educated guess next time you’re trying to identify a friend with fins!

1. Cichlids

There are at least 1600 types of cichlids that we know of, and possibly many thousands more that we haven’t identified or even seen yet. They vary quite a lot in size, but in general, they tend to feature oval-shaped, quite flat bodies; and be of a medium size.

They also all share one main characteristic – a single tooth-bearing structure that is made from the fusion of the lower pharyngeal bones in the throat.

The koi angel is a type of angel fish that features mottled black and white colouring, occasionally also with gold markings on the fish’s head.

2. Pufferfish

The easiest way to identify a pufferfish is when it is feeling threatened, as it will inflate to several times their usual size – though, of course, we don’t recommend that you start threatening any fish! Apart from this rather impressive party trick, though, they also have large eyes, rough skin, long bodies and a beak-like mouth which features four teeth.

3. Cyprinids

Also known as the minnow or carp family; examples include barbs and danios

This family of fish is incredibly varied, but perhaps the most interesting and noticeable characteristic that all its members share is a complete lack of teeth in their jaws. These fish instead use pharyngeal teeth, which are in their throats. Cyprinids also don’t have stomachs.

There are many different types of fish that make up the cyprinid family. One type that is commonly found in aquariums is the barb. Barbs often feature barbels around their mouth – these are whiskerlike sensory organs, and are responsible for the barb’s name.

4. Characins

There are thousands of species of characins, but one characteristic that they all share is an adipose fin, which is small, and is positioned behind the dorsal fin, and just before the tail or caudal fin. Characins also do not feature barbels around their mouths.

Apart from the characteristics mentioned above, characins can look quite a lot like cyprinids, so those are the things you need to look out for to distinguish between the two types.

Silver dollars are so named due to their disc-shaped body, which makes them resemble a coin.

5. Catfish

Like characins, catfish feature an adipose fin, but usually the easiest way to identify a catfish is by their barbells, which look like a cat’s whiskers, and which gave the fish its name. However, not all catfish have particularly prominent ‘whiskers’.

Another way to identify catfish is that they are bottom feeders, so will generally be found towards the bottom of the tank they’re in – some will also enjoy eating algae from the walls of the tank. Many types also have flattened heads; and catfish also have no scales, though some types have bony plates on their body which look like armour.

6. Anabantoids

Also known as the labyrinth fish; examples include the gourami and Siamese fighting fish

This family of fish is unusual in that its members can breathe oxygen from the air, rather than through water as most fish do – in fact, as long as the fish is kept moist, it can even survive out of water for several hours. This ability is thanks to its complex, lung-like organ, which is known as the labyrinth organ. They tend to be of a medium size.

7. Scats

These fish are scavengers, and feed on algae and faeces – hence their name, from the Greek ‘skatos’ which means faeces. However, despite having a reputation for happily eating what others wouldn’t, they aren’t necessarily too easy to look after, and may require an expert level of care, particularly as they age.

Scats generally reach around 25cm in size, and can reach 30cm, so they will need a large tank to accommodate them. Their bodies are generally quite flat and almost square in shape. Despite their taste for rather unsavoury foods, scats will be perfectly healthy when fed with more regular fish food, and will also keep algae levels down in your tank, which can be useful.

8. Botiidae

There are a few characteristics that can help with identifying these fish. These bottom feeders feature an arched, high back and a flat belly, as well as a pointed snout. Most types vary between six and 30cm in size, though some can reach up to half a metre.

A popular type of Botidae is the clown loach, which features three distinctive triangular black stripes along its body. The colour of the rest of its body can range from a white-orange to a more red-orange. It also features four pairs of barbels, and has a downward facing mouth.

Occasionally, the clown loach will use its pharyngeal teeth to make clicking sounds, especially if it is feeling territorial or mating.

Top tip

One of the best aspects of tropical fishkeeping is that there is a multitude of species to choose from; but this can also pose something of a problem when it comes to knowing which types can live in harmony together, and which might fight like cat(fish) and dog(fish).

Before you decide on which fish will populate your tank, it’s essential that you do your research to ensure that your fish will all be happy living together. You’ll also need to check what size of tank your fish will need, and what sort of water conditions and food they will require. If you need any help or advice at any point, please feel free to give our team a call.

Conclusion

This is just a starting point for identifying tropical fish – to cover each and every species would mean that you would be reading for a very long time – but hopefully this has offered you some useful information to get started on figuring out the differences between some of the more popular species of tropical fish.

Thankfully, we have plenty of experts on hand in house, so if you happen to get stuck at any point when you’re trying to identify a fish, please do get in touch and we’ll do all we can to help – we love a challenge!

Do you have any tips for identifying tropical fish? Let us know in the comments!

]]>Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:32:53 +0000http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/beginners-guide-tropical-fish-identification/
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/beginners-guide-tropical-fish-identification/system_admin@digivate.com (digivate_admin)digivate_admin21 Best Fish Tank Ornaments of 2015When was the last time you treated your tank to a new ornament? Just like with the rooms in our homes, it’s nice to spruce up our aquariums every now and again and give the space a new lease of life – and your fish will love exploring a new decoration just as much as you’ll love looking at it.

Whether you’re setting up a brand new tank, or you want to give your trusty old aquarium a new look, we’ve listed our top 21 fish tank ornaments for 2015. Ranging from ornaments that offer a natural look, to replicas of beloved TV show characters, and even pieces that glow in the dark, there really is something for everyone!

If one of the main reasons that you set up your fish tank in the first place was to create a relaxing space that connects you with nature, then this ornament is ideal. Designed to fit into the filter cube at the top of your tank, the ornament allows water to flow through it, offering a beautiful feature and the pretty sounds of tinkling water.

If you’ve got any little ones in your home – or you’re just a big kid at heart – then this official Spongebob Squarepants merchandise will be just the ticket to inject a little fun into your aquarium. All together now: “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea…”

If you still haven’t received your letter from Hogwarts, then this medieval castle will allow you to create your own magical underwater wizarding world while you wait for your owl to arrive. With its olde-worlde look, it’s also a great option for would-be knights. Arise, Sir Swimalot…

Offering a similarly mystical feel to the Wizards Castle, this tumbled down building conjures up images of the famed underwater city of Atlantis. It would also work brilliantly if you’re going for an Ancient Grecian or Roman look in your tank. The ornament also features archways that your fish can explore!

Take a step back in time with this police box, which looks as though it has been lost at sea for quite a while. We’re pretty sure that it’s bigger on the inside, but you’ll have to ask your fish to take a look for you…

Sticking with the TV theme, fans of the heroes in a half shell can relive the glory days of children’s television with this ornament of Splinter from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If you want to complete the set, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo and Michelangelo are all also available in aquarium ornament form. Cowabunga!

This beautifully detailed, ghostly shipwreck ornament features realistic rocks and holes that your fish can explore. You can capture the mysterious, otherworldly nature of a ship that has been taken over by the sea in your very own tank.

Let your fish explore the globe by bringing one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China, to their very own tank! The holes and archways will allow the fish to interact with the ornament, too, making it as interesting for them as it is for you.

If you’re looking to create a delicate, beautiful aquarium, then this ornament is ideal. Designed to fit inside the plant box at the bottom of your aquarium, this lily pad and grass decoration really is stunning, not to mention incredibly stylish.

Whether you’re a history buff or a Jurassic Park superfan, this realistic fossil ornament will allow you to transform your tank into a palaeontologist’s dream. The ornament has been meticulously replicated from a real rock, and looks fantastically realistic.

This iconic old English red telephone box will look fantastic in an aquarium that’s been styled to look like a submerged London. Your fish can explore the ruin, though unfortunately the telephone lines will no longer be in operation…

The zombie apocalypse really is coming, but forget The Walking Dead – these zombies are swimming! This fun ornament is brilliant to give your tank a spooky look for Halloween, especially as it glows in the dark.

Another ship to add to our collection, but this time its Long John Silver and his marauding seamates whose ship has wandered into dangerous waters. Your fish will have to let you know if they find any booty!

Offering an incredibly realistic look, this driftwood replica also features moss that feels like the real thing. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a hiding place for the inhabitants of your tank, and because it’s artificial it won’t fade over time, or require much maintenance.

Conclusion

We hope that you’ve found some inspiration in our round up of our 21 top fish tank ornaments for this year. If you haven’t quite found the right ornament for you, why not browse our website? We’ve got dozens more ornaments to choose from on there, from hyper realistic artificial plants to wonderfully wacky decorations. Whatever you’re looking for, we’re sure we can help!

]]>Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:09:53 +0000http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/21-best-fish-tank-ornaments-2015/
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/21-best-fish-tank-ornaments-2015/system_admin@digivate.com (digivate_admin)digivate_admin17 Crazy Facts about FishThink you know all there is to know about fish? Think again! We’re constantly learning about the wonders of the ocean, with new species of fish being discovered all the time. It seems that our knowledge of the world of fish is just scratching the surface.

But the stuff that we do know is pretty interesting indeed! Here, we’ve gathered together some of the weirdest, craziest, and most fascinating facts about fish that we could find. Feel free to use these factoids to impress your friends!

2. Mudskippers can walk on land

The amphibious mudskipper is a rather adaptable creature, as it can use its pectoral fins to walk – or, rather, skip – on land (2). In fact, it’s so good on land that it can even catapult itself up to two feet in the air in a spectacular flip. To survive on land, it keeps a supply of water in its gill chambers when it ventures out of the water, and is also able to breathe through the pores of its skin when it is wet.

3. Some fish can talk to each other

While you’ve probably heard about marine animals like dolphins and whales being able to communicate with one another, you may not have heard that some fish can talk, too (3). They contract their swim bladder to create vibrations that make a range of sounds.

Some are chattier than others, though. Gurnards communicate quite a lot, while cod are generally quiet unless they’re spawning. Sadly, though goldfish can hear, they aren’t able to speak – so striking up a conversation with the residents of your aquarium may not amount to much.

4. Herrings form mega schools that are billions strong

It is almost too baffling to believe, but scientists have estimated that herring schools can feature around three billion fish in a single school (4).

Of course, counting the fish would take an awfully long time, but scientists have reached that number by making calculations based on the amount of space that schools of herring can occupy – up to 4.8 cubic kilometres – and the density of fish.

Even more mind blowing is the fact that chains of schools of mullet spanning a whopping 100km have been spotted in the Caspian Sea.

5. Goldfish can be trained

Ready for some myth busting? Though goldfish have been used almost as a synonym for forgetfulness for decades, scientists have found that they can actually remember things for up to five months – and can even be trained to associate certain sounds with feeding time (5).

7. Fish have growth rings

Fish don’t grow new scales as they grow – the scales that they have just grow bigger. This means that you can estimate the age of a fish from the rings that are formed over time (7), similarly to how you would guess the age of a tree.

8. Batfish play dead

Move over, Rover! Batfish are known to play dead when they’re scared, floating on top of the water to make themselves look like a leaf and so camouflage themselves from predators (8). Though we’re not sure if you’ll be able to convince them to do it on demand like your pet dog can…

9. Atlantic hagfish can fill a milk jug with slime

The unusual looking Atlantic hagfish is a strange creature. Its body is covered with glands that produce a sticky slime, which features small fibres which make the slime difficult to get rid of. It can produce enough slime to fill a milk jug at any one time (9).

Scientists think that the hagfish might use the slime as a defence mechanism, or even to create a safe cocoon for itself. The hagfish then ties itself in a knot to wipe the slime away.

10. Sunfish can produce 300 million eggs

And the award for the biggest family goes too… the sunfish! Females of the species, which can reach up to six feet in length and 1000 pounds in weight, can produce a whopping 300 million eggs each year (10).

11. Whales have belly buttons

It’s strange to think of marine life having a belly button, but as whales are mammals that give birth to live young, they do (11). The belly button is created after the umbilical cord, which connects mother and baby, is lost. Dolphins and porpoises have belly buttons too.

12. There’s a jellyfish species that can age backwards

Benjamin Button, eat your heart out. The so-called ‘immortal jellyfish’ can turn itself back into a baby repeatedly in times of crisis (12). If the fish faces physical damage, starvation, or another crisis, it is able to “transform all of its existing cells into a younger state,” according to Pia Miglietta, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University.

The jellyfish, which is only about the size of a small fingernail at its adult size, transforms into a cyst that looks blob-like. It then turns into a polyp colony, and begins its life cycle anew. This colony spawns genetic copies of the adult – hundreds of them, in fact.

13. The oldest koi carp on record reached 226 years

Hanako was a female koi carp who lived in a Japanese pond for over two centuries (13). Born in 1751, Hanako (which means ‘flower maid’) was handed down through several generations of the same family, and when she died in 1977 she was examined to assess her age using the growth rings found on her scales.

Hanako was still a wee nipper in comparison to one ocean quahog mollusc – posthumously named Ming – that was found in 2006. Scientists estimated its age as 507 years old. It was called Ming after the Chinese dynasty that was in power when it was born in 1499 (13a).

14. Some fish are as small as a grain of rice

You might struggle to spot these fishes as they’re so tiny! The Paedocypris comes in at 7.9mm; the Dwarf pygmy goby at 9mm; the stout infantfish at 8.4mm, and the dwarf goby at 10mm (14). The average grain of rice comes in at around 7mm, so this should give you some idea of just how miniscule (or should that be mini-scale?)these fishes are.

15. The biggest fish is as long as two buses

In stark comparison to the teeny fish we just mentioned, the whale shark is a giant of the deep. This fish reaches lengths of up to around 60 feet, and may weigh more than 30 tonnes (14a). Despite their huge size, they are considered gentle giants as they mainly feed on plankton.

17. The Dwarf Seahorse is so slow you can’t see it move

The Dwarf Seahorse is such a slow mover – creeping along at a mere 0.001mph – that if you were to watch it, you could be forgiven for assuming that it isn’t moving at all (16). It takes around an hour to move just five feet.

Conclusion

The world of fish is truly fascinating, which is why we think that fishkeeping is such a fantastic hobby – there’s always something to learn! We hope that this article has helped you to find out something that you didn’t know; or even inspired you to join the fishkeeping community!

1: Fish can remember things for way longer than 3 seconds

This is a big one, so let's tackle it first (no pun intended). Goldfish are often said to have a very short memory, and that of course is why they are often seen to be circling their tanks over and over - seemingly having forgotten that they did this just moments before.

2: Fish are great learners…until they become distracted, that is…

When fish are kept in an environment with a single type of prey, they get more and more efficient at catching it, just as you would expect. That in itself shows that they are learning. But here's the bit that's more interesting:

When introduced to a new type of prey, fish tend to get less efficient at finding the original type of prey.

The reason for this is that their attention is now divided. They might have more skills (they now know about 2 types of food), but they are less focused.

Divided attention is a well-established cost of learning, and one that we humans also suffer from!

3: Fish develop social intelligence

In this study, it was found that rainbow fish can learn how to escape a net when there is only one hole by which to escape. But what's more interesting is that the fish tend to learn this escape route faster when they see other fish use it first. Therefore, they can in fact learn from the actions of their peers!

And if that wasn't enough to impress you, the rainbow fish can remember that lesson even after not having seen the net for a year! These fish only live for about 2 years, so that's half a life-time...

That's right, a mouthbrooding cichlid is more likely to pick a fight with a fish that it has seen lose in previous fights with other fish. This shows that they clearly remember and understand previously observed battles and can use this to their advantage!

5: Fish are good at business (and fraud)

In reef environments, some types of fish clean other, bigger fish by eating their parasites. These bigger fish are called "clients". Of course, client fish like to find the best cleaners, and they won't let just any fish come and eat their parasites.

To improve their image, some fish will start by cleaning smaller clients in order to improve their image and their chances of bagging a larger client in the future. Even better though, when they are being observed, the cleaning fish will cooperate with more clients to try to seem more industrious in order to impress (and deceive) potential new clients!

6: Fish can communicate with other fish

It's easy to assume fish lead solitary lives because they don't make any noise...or do they?

For example, if a large grouper fish wants to get some prey in a tight gap, he might point at the gap and shake his body in order to alert a moray eel - who is slender enough to fit in the gap and flush out the prey!

9: Fish like to look after their gardens

That's right, Damselfish, a common fish on coral reefs all over the world, are keen gardeners and they each keep their own little patch of paradise in order to grow algae - which they then eat.

The Damselfish isn't great at digesting many types of algae, so they farm their favourite species and religiously pick out weeds and spit them out away from their garden in order to keep their crop healthy!

Conclusion

So there you have it. 9 clear signs that our fishy friends are perhaps much more intelligent than we might sometimes think.

Of course, if you already keep fish you probably always suspected that they each have hidden talents, and their own unique personalities.

It's certainly something to keep in mind though when you are re-designing your tank environment. Keeping your fish happy and stimulated will help them to be happy, healthy and long-lived!

]]>Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:08:36 +0000http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/9-reasons-fish-are-smarter-than-you-think/
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/9-reasons-fish-are-smarter-than-you-think/system_admin@digivate.com (digivate_admin)digivate_adminTypes of Water Features: How to Find the Right Water Feature for Your Pond or Water GardenAre you hoping to install a water feature in your garden? Whether you’d like to dig a pond from scratch or you’d prefer a simple free standing fountain, water features can add a great deal to any outdoor space and create a stunning focal point.

The gentle tinkle of running water is wonderfully soothing, and installing a pond will expand the variety of plants that you can grow and the amount of wildlife that visits your garden. And there’s nothing quite like the way that water reflects light on a summer’s day.

But what sort of water feature is best for you? There are lots of different types to choose from, so no matter how big or small your space is, or what your tastes are, you’re sure to be able to find something that works perfectly.

Here, we’ve rounded up a variety of water features that work in different spaces and suit a range of tastes. One thing they do all have in common though, is that they’re simple and quick to install, so you can enjoy them in your garden in no time.

For small areas

Velda Trendy Pond

If you’ve got limited space, you may think that you’re not able to get a suitable water feature. That’s where the Velda Trendy Pond comes in! This adorable mini pond will fit in even the smallest garden or balcony, and is even suitable for indoor use if you don’t have any outdoor space at all.

Though it’s compact in its size, the mini pond can still add a big impact to your garden or home. Coming with an Aquaclear treatment to keep the water in the pond crystal clear, you could either choose to leave it as a simple decorative water feature, or add some substrate and plants for a touch of greenery.

What’s more, the pond is ready in just three easy steps – add substrate, fill with water and Aquaclear, and then finish with plants. Thanks to its easy setup, it’s ideal for beginner water gardeners.

For a touch of magic

Smart Solar Fairy Leaf Fountain

Do you believe in fairies? Whether you’ve got little ones who love fairytales, or you’re still a big kid at heart, this quirky Smart Solar Fairy Leaf Fountain is sure to add a sprinkle of magic to your garden. The water feature features a beautiful fairy sat on a bowl in the shape of a leaf, but the real magic comes from the solar power recycling water from a hidden reservoir.

Place the water feature in a sunny spot, add water, and you’re good to go. There is no wiring to worry about and no running costs – and because it’s solar powered, it’s good for the environment, too. You may even find a few feathered friends visit your garden to use the feature as a bath and drinking source.

For animal lovers

Smart Solar Tree Trunk Bird Bath

If you’re a big fan of the natural world, then what better ornament for your pond than a beautifully crafted, realistic fish? The Spouting Koi Water Feature by Massarelli is designed to spout water from the mouth of the ornament, creating a beautiful fountain effect. Each of Massarelli’s pieces are made by hand, so your ornament will be unique, too.

Meanwhile, the Smart Solar Tree Trunk Bird Bath is bound to be a popular watering hole among the feathered friends in your area. The tree trunk design will blend in beautifully in your garden, and the solar power technology means that the fountain feature will work without wiring when the sun is out.

For a natural look

Oase Rockways Sand Straight Waterfall

If you want to add a subtle, elegant water feature to your pond, then a waterfall is a great option. Replicating the way that waterfalls look in nature will give your pond a truly authentic, natural look.

The Oase Rockways Sand Straight Waterfall will create the tranquil sounds of running water, while also blending in with the natural look of your pond thanks to the stone effect finish. Being crafted from resin means that the water feature will be hardwearing, too.

For fans of miniatures

Smart Solar Water Mill Fountain

If you had a dolls house when you were young, then the charming Smart Solar Water Mill Fountain may just transport you straight back to your childhood. This (decidedly more grown-up) ornament is beautifully detailed, and when the sun is out the solar power technology will make water cascade down the side of the water wheel.

The traditional design would look particularly gorgeous in a country garden setting, and its compact size means that it will fit in even a small yard or balcony.

For art lovers

Kelkay Daydreaming Girl Water Feature With LED Lights

If you love beautiful art, then this stunning Kelkay Daydreaming Girl Water Feature With LED Lights will more than earn its place in your garden. The incredibly detailed bronze statue is gorgeous enough in itself, but the added subtle lighting effect in the water really makes this piece special. The water feature is completely self-contained, too, so there’s no need for a pond to put it in.

The simple design is ultra-modern, yet still incorporates the natural world through a series of five metal leaves which work as a platform for the water to cascade down. The setup is minimal, too, with the self-contained feature only taking 15 minutes to get up and running from taking it out of the box.

Meanwhile, the Henri Studios Hurricane Eye Water Feature with Light is a great option for a modern garden. Hand-crafted from genuine cast stone, the self-contained water feature marries a modern spiral design with an antique finish, with water bubbling up in the centre. The LED light feature also means that the feature will look just as gorgeous after the sun goes down.

For large ponds

Pond Jet Floating Fountain

If you’ve got a big pond, then you’ll need a water feature that creates an equally big impact, and the Pond Jet Floating Fountain does just that. Huge jets of water erupt from the fountain, which is easy and quick to install – perfect if you want to impress at a last minute garden party!

The fountain is wonderfully stunning on its own, but additional nozzle effects and lighting sets can be added to create even more of an impact should you wish.

Conclusion

The main things to consider when choosing your water feature are how much space you have available, whether you want a freestanding feature or to incorporate it into a pond, and what kind of aesthetic you’re looking for: modern, or traditional.

Nowadays, there are plenty of water features available that use solar power, too, which means no running costs – as well as the fact that you’re caring for the environment, of course. Whether you want small and simple, or big and bold, there is bound to be just the right water feature for you out there.

Whichever type of water feature you decide to go for, make sure that you purchase from a reputable supplier. That way, you can ensure that the materials used are of the best quality, and your feature will last for as long as you want it to.

Enjoy your search for your gorgeous new water feature!

]]>Fri, 19 Jun 2015 17:04:53 +0000http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/types-of-water-features/
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/types-of-water-features/system_admin@digivate.com (digivate_admin)digivate_admin8 Reasons a Pond is a Great Addition to Your PropertyAre you considering getting a pond? Okay, here’s a spoiler – we think you should go for it. There are many, many benefits that you’ll enjoy if you do!

We’ve rounded up some of the main reasons why digging a pond may be the best decision you ever make. Okay, so maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but we really do think it’s a good idea! Here’s why:

1. It can help to tackle pests

Got a problems with slugs and snails? How about mosquitoes? Fed up with aphids wrecking your roses? Installing a pond will attract the right sort of animals and insects to deal with keeping those pests in check.

Frogs and toads will happily eat slugs and snails for you, while dragonflies will take care of aphids and mosquitoes. So, instead of hunting for bad bugs every morning, you can simply pop the kettle on, put your feet up, and thank your pond life for helping you out.

2. It can be an educational tool

Ponds can be an excellent resource for children, and even grown-ups, to learn about wildlife and the environment. Watching the animals, birds and insects arrive each spring, and grow and develop over the summer months, will be fascinating to their young minds. Even autumn and winter can be learning periods, as you explain why the pond has frozen, or why leaves are floating on top.

You can also take the opportunity to explain to them how different plants grow, and adapt the lessons as they grow older. In our opinion, there’s always something new to learn from a pond!

Cerys from Rainy Day Mum offers some tips on keeping tadpoles in this helpful post. “Children as young as toddlers can help you take care of tadpoles in the home and watch them change and develop over spring and will be fascinated by it. They are really easy to keep and all you need is a small fish bowl or even a clear plastic tub.”

Children can watch the tadpoles develop up close, before they are placed back in the pond once they reach the froglet stage. Not only will this enable you to all experience the wonder of life in high definition, but it will also give the tadpoles a better chance of surviving, meaning you’ll have lots of lovely frogs that will live on to eat up your slugs!

Important note: Ponds can pose a danger for young children if proper safety measures are not in place. Even if your pond is on the shallow side, care still needs to be taken. However, as long as you take precautions and act sensibly, you and your family can safely enjoy all the aesthetic and educational benefits of owning a pond. For more information, please see our pond safety guide.

3. It can help the environment

Though what we do in our own gardens is only on a small scale, our combined efforts can make a big impact if we all work together; and doing what you can to help wildlife will make a big difference to the frogs, toads, birds and insects of your local area.

Alongside offering a much-needed source of water, which is especially important for amphibians, ponds also help to provide food for birds and larger insects by attracting smaller insects. However, to ensure that your pond is wildlife-friendly, you’ll need to make sure you have a shallow level in your pond, as well as plants that insects and animals can hide in.

Jeremy Biggs at The Garden Pond Blog explains in this useful post, “Most garden ponds don’t have enough shallow water. The greatest variety (of) wildlife in ponds lives in the very shallow water and tadpoles, newt larvae, water beetles, dragonflies: all love these really shallow areas. A planting shelf that you see on many pre-formed liners is, as far as wildlife is concerned, deep water!

“Make as much shallow water as you can for the best wildlife ponds.”

4. It can be relaxing

Whether you’ve tried an app that helps you to drift off to sleep, or you’ve been to a yoga class where the instructor used a CD filled with soothing sounds, you’re bound to know that there is a connection between the sounds of water, and feeling relaxed. Something about the gentle lap of waves on a shore can ease the stresses of a long day at work.

While your pond may not be quite large enough to have its own shoreline, that doesn’t mean that it won’t create soothing sounds. A water feature such as a fountain or waterfall will create a delightful tinkling noise, while fish, insects, toads, birds and even plants blowing in the breeze will all play their part in making your pond sound as lovely as it looks.

5. It’s beautiful

If you’re the kind of gardener who wants their patch to look good – and let’s face it, who isn’t – then a pond is a great addition. The wildlife that the water will attract, as well as the plants you can add to the area, will create a gorgeous tableau.

You can also design your pond to complement the rest of your garden, and make it as large or as small as you like, install a water feature or two, perhaps add some ornaments… in short, a pond is a wonderful way to express yourself and create a gorgeous little spot in your garden that’s extra special.

6. It opens doors to a wider variety of plant life

There is, of course, already a plethora of plants to choose from for your borders and plant pots. But if you want to add an even greater variety of beautiful plant life to your garden, then a pond will offer you a wonderfully varied choice.

And not only will your green fingers be satisfied with the new plants that you’ll get to play with, but your garden will also become more diverse. The more diverse your garden, the more it will thrive, as a balanced mini eco-system is created.

7. It doesn’t have to involve loads of maintenance

If you plan your pond well, and choose high quality, tough materials to construct it, then your pond may require very little upkeep once it’s established. Foregoing fish will mean that you don’t need to add pumps or filters, and eventually your pond should pretty much look after itself.

“If leaves and debris are lurking, lift them out of the water as gently as possible (to avoid the primordial soup effect) and leave them near the pond margins to drain and also allow time for any creatures to make their way back to the pond.”

8. It’s a useful source of water

If and when the dreaded hosepipe ban makes a return to the UK, a pond will give you the option of using a little of the water on your plants. While we don’t advise that you drink the water yourself, it will act as a handy reserve during droughts, and could be the saviour of thirsty plants living in the rest of your garden.

Conclusion

Have we convinced you? We hope so. The best part about digging your own pond is that you can tailor it to your own needs and tastes, so it can be a fantastically ornamental design with several levels, or simply a small pond that is dedicated to the wonderful wildlife in your area – the choice is yours.

Whatever sort of pond you decide to install, make sure that you research thoroughly beforehand to ensure that you have prepared the plot well. The more time you spend preparing, the less time you’ll probably need to spend on maintenance further down the line.

Enjoy your pond!

]]>Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:20:07 +0000http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/8-reasons-pond-great-addition-property/
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/8-reasons-pond-great-addition-property/system_admin@digivate.com (digivate_admin)digivate_admin7 Steps to Creating a Stunning ShrimpscapeAre you ready for a new fishkeeping challenge? Whether you’re a total newbie or you’ve been keeping fish for years, a shrimpscape will make a fantastic addition to your home. Shrimp can be surprisingly easy to care for, depending on which variety you choose, so they can also be a great pet if you need a low maintenance option.

With a little research and planning, you can create a shrimpscape with reasonably little effort and cost. Here, we’ve offered our basic guide to help you get started.

1. Choose your tank

A small tank is usually appropriate for keeping shrimp, though of course it depends on how many shrimp you plan to get, and the size of the type of shrimp you choose. Generally speaking, a 30L tank will be sufficient to house a lot of shrimp, but it’s always best to check with the supplier to make sure that your tank is suitable.

Getting a small tank is especially great for beginners, as it will be easier for you to manage while you get used to taking care of your shrimp. You won’t need a fancy tank for your shrimp – a regular tank will do the job just fine.

2. Choose where to place your tank

You’ll need a spot that is easy for you to access, as you’ll need to clean your tank and change the water, so pick somewhere that isn’t too high up – buckets of water and ladders don’t mix well! Also, try to find a spot where you’ll be able to display your shrimp and show them off.

Our very own Ricky offers some further advice where to place your tank in this post about how to set up an aquarium over on the Lakes Aquarium blog. “It should be somewhere away from draughts and direct sunlight so as to maintain a constant temperature,” says Ricky. That’s so that the tank can remain at a temperature that won’t harm your shrimp – sunlight could make the water too hot.

3. Add substrate

Substrate – for example gravel or sand – isn’t strictly necessary, but it will help to make your tank look attractive. It can also help to alter the pH level of your water, which can be useful depending on which shrimp you’ll be getting. Some shrimp prefer acidic water, and some prefer alkaline – check the requirements for your chosen shrimp to see which type you’ll need.

If your tap water is particularly ‘hard’ or ‘soft’, then adding an alkaline or acidic substrate can balance things out. Alternatively, if your pH level is just where you want it, then you can choose an inert substrate, which won’t alter the pH level.

4. Add a filter, light and heater

Because shrimp, and especially baby shrimp (or shrimplets) are very small, many filters can actually suck them up. To avoid this, choose a sponge filter with a low flow, or tie a pair of tights around your filter to protect the shrimp from being sucked into it.

You may not need a heater for your tank, but if your home is particularly draughty it might be a good idea to invest in one. Check to see what the recommended temperature is for your shrimp, and use a thermometer to check the temperature of your tank.

Lighting is also not a necessity, but a small amount of light is a nice addition to add a decorative element and illuminate your shrimp. It can also be useful if you are adding plants to your tank.

5. Choose your shrimp

For a beginner tank, it’s a good idea to start off with one type of shrimp to avoid interbreeding. It’s also wise to make the tank a shrimp-only tank, at least to start off with.

Many fish will eat adult shrimp or their offspring, so until you’ve thoroughly researched which types of fish are suitable, it’s best to keep fish in a separate tank. Even if the fish don’t actually eat your shrimp, they could still create a lot of stress and cause your shrimp to hide most of the time. That said, snails could be kept in the same tank as your shrimp without any problems.

“(Red Cherry Shrimp is) one of the easiest shrimps to keep and especially suitable for beginners. It has a larger range of pH and hardness tolerance than most and is a prolific breeder, though will not breed in softer more acidic conditions.”

6. Decorate your tank

Add some live plants to your tank if you can, or at the least some artificial ones. Shrimp like to have a hiding place to retreat to, so adding plants or other decorative items that feature hiding spots will help them to feel relaxed in their environment.

Mosses are a great addition, as young shrimp will feed off the micro-organisms that live there, and mosses – as well as anubias and ferns – can be grown without injecting CO2. Stem plants, on the other hand, will grow quickly and remove harmful toxins from the water.

Make sure that any décor is suitable for a shrimp tank before you add it. Some plants will have been grown using certain chemicals that are harmful to shrimp, so always purchase from a reputable dealer and ask if the plants are suitable for a shrimp tank before buying.

7. Don’t overfeed your shrimp

Often, it’s not necessary to feed your shrimp, as they will feed off plant matter and algae. With small populations of Red Cherry Shrimp, for instance, supplemental feeding often isn’t needed, and overfeeding can lead to poor water quality, and can even kill your shrimp.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

If extra food is needed, only provide a small amount that can be eaten within ten minutes.

Choose flake food or pellet food that will sink to the bottom of the tank.

Blanched vegetables that have been boiled until soft can also be a good food choice for shrimp. Only put a small amount in the tank at a time, and don’t leave any rotting food in the tank otherwise the water quality will go down.

Conclusion

Once you’ve got your shrimpscape set up, the shrimp will often pretty much take care of themselves, especially if you choose a variety that is easy to take care of, such as Red Cherry Shrimp. Once you feel more confident, you could try to introduce some different shrimp to your tank, as long as you research properly to ensure that the two types of shrimp can cohabit well.

The main thing to remember is to always purchase your equipment, and especially your shrimp, from a reputable dealer, so that you know that you’re getting good quality products and shrimp that have been given the best possible start in life.

If you’re a complete newbie to fishkeeping, the best advice is to start small, as you’ll find it easier to maintain your tank and take care of a little colony of shrimp. When you’ve gained some experience, you’ll be able to upgrade your tank if you wish, and you’ll have the confidence you need to do so.

]]>Fri, 22 May 2015 14:29:35 +0000http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/7-steps-to-creating-a-shrimpscape/
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/blog/7-steps-to-creating-a-shrimpscape/system_admin@digivate.com (digivate_admin)digivate_admin7 Best Desktop Aquariums for the OfficeWhat sort of décor does your office include? A couple of team photos on the wall, maybe, or a few framed certificates? Whether you work from home or in a communal space, making your workspace into a pleasant environment is always a good idea – after all, you probably spend a lot of time there. And with a desktop aquarium, you can add a decorative feature that offers therapeutic benefits too!

Fish can help to lower stress levels and produce a calming effect, which is perfect for a working environment; and their beauty will help to enhance the décor of any office space. What’s more, they’re the perfect office pet, as they don’t need to be walked twice a day, and they certainly won’t try to crawl onto your lap while you’re working!

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite desktop aquariums so that you can add a little aquatic beauty to your office. There are options to suit a wide range of budgets, too, as well as aquariums that are suitable for beginners.

This seahorse-themed aquarium is great for beginners, and is sure to add an element of fun to any office! The set comes with cling-on seahorse decals and a flexible cut-out background, as well as a plastic cut out ornament.

All you need to do is install the filter, add water and doses of the Nutrafin water conditioners (which are included with the kit), and add some fish. To make it even easier for beginners, the tank lid features an innovative lift up panel especially for feeding your fish. It’s also easy to clean.

Not only does this tank feature a hinged canopy for easy feeding and maintenance, but it also includes a fluorescent light which will illuminate your fish beautifully.

As well as that, there is a heater and thermometer included with the kit, so that you can easily make sure that the water is at a suitable temperature for your fish. The inclusion of the heater also means that you have a larger variety of fish to choose from for your aquarium.

This tank offers twice the volume of a standard Fluval Edge, but doesn’t take up any further space on your desktop thanks to its clever design. That means you can fit more fish into your aquarium, without having to make room for a bulky tank.

Alongside the innovative design, the aquarium features a fantastic LED lighting system, with a bright white daytime setting, and a deep blue night-time option. There’s also a water conditioner and biological aquarium supplements included with the kit.

The low voltage LED lighting system on this tank is sure to keep the accounts department happy, and the compact size means that it can fit in most offices, no matter how small.

Not only that, but the touch activated light can be dimmed, and changed from blue, to red, to green, to white, or a combination of all of these colours. Cue lots of office fun playing with the aquarium! Hey, you know what they say about all work and no play…

There’s a feeding hole built into the light unit, and the whole thing can easily be lifted off when you need to access the aquarium. The kit also comes with a filter, plants and stones, so you’re pretty much all set!

Featuring a small base and tall shape, this aquarium is perfect for compact offices as it won’t take up much desktop space, but still allows for plenty of room inside for fish and décor. Neon tetras and tiger barbs are ideal fish for this tank, as they like to swim near the top. For the best effect, add décor to the bottom of the tank.

The lights and pump are low voltage, meaning that your boss won’t be shocked by the electricity bill when it arrives. Plus, the aquarium is easy to maintain – all you need to do is replace the filter cartridge once a month, and change a third of the water.

Another feature that we love is the intelligent LED light, which replicates a natural 24 hour light cycle! There is also an add-on heater available, which can turn the tank into a tropical environment.

The kit comes with everything you need to get started – even fish food. All you need to do is add fish and water.

Perfect for beginners, this mini aquarium comes with a filter system, sponge and the necessary media to get started right away. The kit also includes an energy efficient bulb, which is suitable for plant growth. Choose goldfish, or purchase a heater to use the tank as a home for tropical fish.

This is a particularly low maintenance option, making it ideal for the office. The kit comes with a 5w energy saving bulb, which uses a minimal amount of power; and the tank top filtration makes the tank easy and convenient to take care of.

The aquarium also features a patented pressurised filtration system, which locks any odours away, as well as a self-air feature which takes air bubbles to the tank.

Conclusion

Whether you simply want to install an aquarium in your office to act as a beautiful decorative piece, or you’re hoping to have a calming effect on your customers or clients – or even, dare we say it, your boss – we hope that we’ve provided you with a few options that will be suitable for you.

Keeping fish can be lots of fun, and with the right desktop aquarium in your office, it can also become a great team-building activity. The thing that makes these particular aquariums so great for the office is that they come with most, if not all, of the equipment that you need to get started – all you need to do is add water, and fish, of course!

Wild tortoises feed predominantly on green leafy plants which grow close to the ground. Tortoises are very fond of flowers and in plentiful seasons may consume nothing but flowers. These animals can see well in the UV spectrum and are very attracted to bright colours which glow under UV radiation.

During drier periods tortoises will feed on dry leaves, grasses and may even browse on herbaceous plant leaves growing closer to the ground.

Wild diets are very low in protein, fats, phosphorus and sugars. However, they are high in fibre and calcium. In captivity tortoises diets can be completely different, often presenting many problems. Food is often available in large quantities in the same place daily.

Food which is commercially grown for human consumption (such as lettuce or cabbage) is often lower in fibre and higher in protein, sugars and phosphorus. These nutrients are the reverse of food found in the nature by tortoises, and this is the most likely cause of nutritional disorders.

Constituents of Food and their Uses

Protein

Proteins are used as building blocks for muscle tissue major organs and ceratin (horny growth covering shell). Proteins are essential for healthy growth and development. High levels in the animals diet causes accelerated growth, deformities in shell growth and high levels of urea in bladder. Tortoises like all other animals use their kidneys to remove urea from the blood. Excessive levels of urea (a bi-product from breaking proteins down) put a lot of pressure on the kidneys to keep the blood clean.

Fats

Fats are a good source of energy. However, tortoises are adapted to low fat diets and store fat in large cysts around the body. These cysts may become so large that they infiltrate major organs such as the liver this impairs its overall function.

Carbohydrates (sugars)

Carbohydrates are a good first source of energy; they are the most usable source of energy for tortoises. However, foods that are really rich in sugars such as fruits can be a problem as they are not completely absorbed by the tortoise and can remain in the gut. This provides a good food source for internal parasites such as intestinal worms and protozoons.

Fibre

Fibre is the indigestible cellulose which is essential to the tortoises since it speeds up digestion and combines waste products together to be easily passed. Fibre also prevents internal parasites from building up into aggressive numbers, by pushing them faster through the gut.

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins are essential for healthy organ development and function, most are commonly available in a varied diet. Calcium and phosphorous are the most important minerals to be concerned with in tortoise diets. Food stuffs must be higher in calcium than phosphorus by at least 2:1 although wild diets are often 10:1 or even 50:1. An essential vitamin is vitamin D3. This is required by reptiles to absorb calcium from their food without D3 tortoises can’t use any calcium in their diet.

Wild tortoises produce vitamin D3 by sunbathing; UVB light from the sun stimulates a steroid in the animal skin and with good temperatures produce vitamin D3. This important vitamin enables reptiles (tortoise) to absorb calcium from their diet. Without vitamin D3 tortoises can’t use any calcium they eat and quickly suffer from calcium deficiencies.

In captivity UVB light can be provided indoors with the use of specialist bulbs. Tortoises should be allowed to sun bathe below these for 8-10 hours per day. Remember that temperature is important for the process so provide basking lamps when using fluorescent bulbs which give off no heat. Although expensive powersun spot bulbs are much better, its important to provide as much out door exposure as possible. Natural sun light is the best source of UVB light.

Supplements

Provide calcium supplements regularly especially for juvenile tortoises and adult females. Only use supplements which use calcium carbonate as this will be of most benefit for raising calcium to phosphorous ratio (vetark Nutrabol)

Healthy diets in captivity

Healthy diets for herbivorous tortoise must be low in protein, low in fats, high in fibre and have a calcium phosphorous level of 2:1 if not 10:1. This is best achieved by providing food collected rather than brought. Wild food such as dandelions and sow thistles when grown naturally both have protein levels below 5% and are naturally high in fibre and have calcium phosphorous levels at least 3:1. If a good quality calcium supplement is added the calcium to phosphorous level may jump to 8:1. Variety is essential so feed at lest 5 or 6 different species of plant at any one time.

Quantity in Captivity

Wild tortoises are often only active at dawn and dusk as the midday temperature are often too hot. Food levels also vary depending on the time of year. Tortoises in the wild generally feed more heavily during the spring when food plants are most available. During the summer when hotter drier weather kills off a lot of growth. Tortoises in captivity should be fed one good meal per day. It is often better to feed animals by growing food plants in their outdoor enclosure to create an environment for browsing as this would encourage more natural feeding responses.

Preventing lumpy shells in juvenile

Juvenile tortoises show the greatest problems when a diet is incorrect. Shell deformities are very common in animals which are fed a diet high in protein, low in fibre and with poor calcium, phosphorus balance, so:

Feed only foods which are low in protein, high in fibre, with a good calcium phosphorus balance.